Healthy Mind Body Lifestyle Improves
IVF / In-Vitro Fertilitzation Success Rates
Does infertility cause stress or does stress cause infertility? The correlation between stress and fertility is a controversial question ardently debated amongst experts everywhere. In February, an analysis of 14 studies published in the British Medical Journal, negated the idea that stress affects in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates. A recent study by Dr. Alice Dumar, Ph.D, OB-Gyn, published in Fertility and Sterility, a publication of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, however, strongly suggests that stress relief through mind/body programs may indeed increase the efficacy of IVF treatment.
It is no secret that women who are undergoing fertility treatment report high levels of stress due to depression and anxiety. Complementary therapies to decrease stress and anxiety and increase IVF success could, therefore, be beneficial to women. In her recent study, Dr. Dumar of Boston IVF and Harvard Medical School researchers examined the effect of a mind/body program on IVF pregnancy outcomes. They recruited women 40 years and older with normal hormonal levels and divided them into two groups: those who participated in a mind/body program and those who did not. Following the women over two IVF cycles, Dr. Dumar and her team discovered that the women who participated in the therapy had a 52% IVF success rate opposed to a 20% success rate of those who did not.
While research may suggest alternative outcomes and opinions to the age old question of how much stress affects fertility vary, learning relaxation and stress techniques can only enhance one’s overall IVF experience. Integrating stress management strategies and healthy lifestyle habit changes will impact the success of any pregnancy.
Call our San Diego Fertility Clinic for
a consultation at (760) 633-2231
California Center for Reproductive Medicine
477 N. El Camino Real,
Building C Suite 208
Encinitas, CA 92024
Office: (760) 633-2231
Email: info@cacrm.com
CONTACT: Debbie Goode, CACRM
Phone: (760) 633-2231, E-mail: dgoode@cacrm.com
Dr. Lori Arnold MD / FACOG
Founder and Medical Director of
The California Center for Reproductive Medicine San Diego.
CACRM San Diego fertility clinic provides treatments, therapy and
services relating to fertility and infertility.
Call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lori Arnold at
619-397-2950.
